Process and apparatus for sythesis gas heat exchange system

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an improved process and apparatus for integrating the heat transfer zones of spiral-wound, plate fin, tube and finned tube exchangers thus increasing the overall effectiveness of the process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved process for coolinghydrogen-bearing synthesis gas via heat exchange and specifically to amore efficient design of heat exchangers for hydrogen-bearing synthesisgas cooling.

Hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas streams are generally produced fromsteam/hydrocarbon reforming (often referred as steam/methanereformning), coal gasification and partial oxidation processes. See,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,441 (steam reforming of hydrocarbons), U.S.Pat. No. 4,352,675 (partial oxidation of coal), U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,880(partial oxidation of coal), U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,029 (partial oxidationof liquid and/or solid fuels), U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,585 (partialoxidation of natural gas), U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,285 (partial oxidation ofhydrocarbon feed), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,829 (steam reforming ofnatural gas).

Traditionally, the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas product streamsobtained from these processes have been cooled in shell and tube heatexchangers. See, for example, Fix et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,063, whichdiscloses a heart exchanger for cooling synthesis gas generated from acoal-gasification plant. The heat exchanger contains a plurality ofheat-exchange pipes which are surrounded by ajacket. The pipescommunicate at one end with a gas-intake chamber, and at their other endwith a gas-outtake chamber. Synthesis gas from a coal-gasification plantenters the gas-intake chamber, passes through the pipes, and then entersthe gas-outtake chamber. While passing through the pipes, the synthesisgas is cooled by water introduced into the jacket. The water isvaporized into steam which is then removed from the jacket.

Koog et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,132, discloses another type of shelland tube heat exchanger for cooling synthesis gas. This synthesis gascooler has two concentric so-called “water walls” within an outer shell.The water walls are each formed from a plurality of parallel tubesjoined together by connecting fins to form a gas tight wall. Water flowswithin the tubes and is vaporized into steam. The synthesis gas flows onthe outside of the tubes, first axially and then through the annularregion formed between the two concentric water walls.

Decke et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,195, discloses a more complicatedsynthesis gas cooling system comprising a radiant synthesis gas cooler,and two convective synthesis gas coolers both which include awater-cooling structure to provide heat-exchange via cooling waterflowing in counterflow.

Plate-fin heat exchangers and tube heat exchangers, spiral-wound orexternally finned, have long been employed to recover process heat.These exchangers are often employed to heat or cool a low-density gasstream located on the external (often finned) side against a higherdensity stream with higher heat transfer coefficient within the platesor tubes. The extended surface of the finned exterior pass allows (1)greater heat transfer surface than a bare tube or plate and (2) providesgreater heat transfer at a correspondingly lower pressure drop thanwould be experienced with bare tubes or plates.

Heat exchangers having more than one fluid circulating through separatetube passes are known. Published US Application No. 2005/0092472 (Lewis)discloses a plate fin and tube or finned tube type heat exchangerwherein a first working fluid is made to flow on the exterior of finnedtubes, and two or more additional working fluids are made to flow inseparate tube circuits within the heat exchanger. In an Example, U.S.'472 describes an embodiment wherein the first working fluid flows overthe finned exterior side and three additional working fluids flow withinseparate tube circuits within the heat exchanger. The first workingfluid is a mixture of N₂ and H₂O. The second working fluid is, forexample, natural gas. The third working fluid is water, and the fourthworking fluid is also water.

See also Misage et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,241) which describes a heatexchanger for use with a fuel cell power plant. In the exchanger,reformer effluent passes over the exterior of tubes. The latter providefor the circulation of three different fluids, i.e., water, steam, andhydrocarbon fuel to be preheated. See, also, U.S. Pat. No. 3,277,958(Taylor et al.), U.S. Pat No. 3,294,161 (Wood), U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,818(Nussbaum), U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,482 (Dietzsch), and U.S. Pat. No.5,419,392 (Maruyama).

The prior art process of cooling the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gasstream is heat exchange via separate, individual heat exchangers. Ineach of these separate heat exchangers, the synthesis gas is cooled tothe desired outlet temperature by heat exchange with a single processstream, such as the feed hydrocarbon stream, boiler feed water,demineralized water, ambient air and/or cooling water. This practice ofcooling hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas in one or more shell and tubeheat exchangers, with each heat exchanger using a single cooling medium,is relatively inefficient. Recent changes in the cost of the feedstockmaterial combined with ever increasing economic pressure have created ademand for a more efficient and less costly process and apparatus toaccomplish synthesis gas production, including more efficient and lesscostly procedures for cooling synthesis gas by heat exchange.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a process and apparatus for enhancing theefficiency of the cooling of hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas. The presentinvention also provides, by the use of such cooling, reduced energyconsumption than the prior art.

The invention seeks to achieve cooling of hydrogen-bearing synthesis gasthrough integrating multiple process fluids into a single side of one ormore heat exchangers and integrating the heat transfer zones of themultiple fluids to allow more effective heat transfer.

Thus, generally, the invention provides a system for more efficient heattransfer in, for example, a plate-fin, plate fin and tube or finned tubeexchanger for cooling a gas stream, preferably a hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas stream. In a preferred embodiment, the invention furtherprovides for separation of the gaseous phase of the synthesis gas from aliquid phase condensed during cooling of the hydrogen-bearing synthesisgas stream.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a process forrecovering energy from a hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas streamcomprising:

a. providing a first heat exchanger having at least four separate flowcircuits;

b. supplying a first hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream (e.g.,obtained from a steam/hydrocarbon reformning process, a coalgasification process or a partial oxidation process) to a first flowcircuit of said first heat exchanger;

c. supplying a first cool heat exchange medium (e.g., a hydrocarbonfeed) to a second flow circuit of said first heat exchanger whereby saidhot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream is cooled by indirect heatexchange with said first cool heat exchange medium;

d. feeding a second cool heat exchange medium (e.g., boiler water) to athird flow circuit of said first heat exchanger whereby said hothydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream is cooled by indirect heatexchange with said second cool heat exchange medium;

e. feeding a third cool heat exchange medium (e.g., demineralized water)to a fourth flow circuit of said first heat exchanger whereby said hothydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream is cooled by indirect heatexchange with said third cool heat exchange medium; and

f. removing cooled hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream from said heatexchanger.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the processfurther comprises: feeding a fourth cool heat exchange medium (e.g.,cooling water) to a fifth flow circuit of said first heat exchangerwhereby said hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream is cooled byindirect heat exchange with said fourth cool heat exchange medium.

In accordance with an apparatus aspect of the invention there isprovided a heat exchange apparatus (such as a spiral-wound tube heatexchanger, a plate-fin heat exchanger or a shell-tube heat exchanger)for cooling a hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas, said heat exchangercomprising:

a. means for defining at least four separate flow circuits within saidheat exchanger whereby the first flow circuit is in indirect heatexchange with the second flow circuit, the third flow circuit, and thefourth flow circuit;

b. a first inlet for introducing hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas intothe means defining said first circuit of said heat exchanger, and afirst outlet for discharging cooled hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas fromsaid means defining said first circuit of said heat exchanger;

c. a source of hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas in fluid communicationwith said first inlet;

d. a second inlet for introducing a cool first heat exchange medium intomeans defining said second circuit of said heat exchanger, and a secondoutlet for discharging said first heat exchange medium from said meansdefining said second circuit of said heat exchanger;

e. a source of cool first heat exchange medium (e.g., a hydrocarbonstream such as natural gas used as the fee for the source of hothydrogen-bearing synthesis gas such as a steam reformer) in fluidcommunication with said second inlet;

f. a third inlet for introducing a cool second heat exchange medium intomeans defining said third circuit of said heat exchanger, and a thirdoutlet for discharging said cool second heat exchange medium from saidmeans defining said third circuit of said heat exchanger; and

g. a source of cool second heat exchange medium (e.g., boiler feedwater) in fluid communication with said third inlet;

h. a fourth inlet for introducing a cool third heat exchange medium intomeans defining said fourth circuit of said heat exchanger, and a fourthoutlet for discharging said cool third heat exchange medium from saidmeans defining said fourth circuit of said heat exchanger; and

i. a source of cool third heat exchange medium (e.g., demineralizedwater) in fluid communication with said fourth inlet.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the apparatusfurther comprises:

means for defining a fifth separate flow circuit within said heatexchanger whereby the first flow circuit is in indirect heat exchangewith the fifth flow circuit;

a fifth inlet for introducing a cool fourth heat exchange medium intomeans defining said fifth circuit of said heat exchanger, and a fifthoutlet for discharging said cool fourth heat exchange medium from saidmeans defining said fifth circuit of said heat exchanger; and

a source of cool fourth heat exchange medium in fluid communication withsaid fifth inlet.

In addition to the main heat exchanger described above the heat recoveryprocess and heat exchange apparatus according to the invention mayfurther comprise a second heat exchanger. For example, at least aportion of the hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis may be removed from thefirst heat exchanger and subjected to heat exchange (e.g., heat exchangewith ambient air) in a second heat exchanger. At least a portion of theresultant cooled hydrogen-bearing synthesis can then be returned to thefirst heat exchanger for further cooling by indirect heat exchange.

As noted above, typically the main heat exchanger used in the overallcooling system can be a spiral-wound tube heat exchanger, a plate-finheat exchanger, or a shell-tube heat exchanger. However, the main heatexchanger can be any heat exchanger that provides for indirect heatexchange between at least one fluid which is to be cooled and aplurality of separate fluids that are to each be heated. Preferably, themain heat exchanger is a shell-tube heat exchanger in which the tubesare straight of intertwined (e.g., a spiral wound shell-tube heatexchanger). The means defining each of the circuits can be, for example,a passageway (such as the passageway defined by an outer shell thatsurrounds several plates defining the other circuits, or the shell sideof a shell and tube heat exchanger), a single tube, or a plurality oftubes.

The fluid to be cooled, e.g., the hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas,can undergo indirect heat exchange with more than one heat exchangemedium at the same time. For example, the hot hydrogen-bearing synthesisgas flowing in the first circuit can undergo indirect heat exchange withdemineralized water flowing through the second circuit whilesimultaneously undergoing indirect heat exchange with a hydrocarbon feedstream flowing in a separate circuit, e.g., the third circuit. By thisprocedure, multiple circuits can be integrated to more effectively allowthe composite heating curve of multiple cooling streams to thermallyapproach the cooling curve of the hot working stream. Such a procedurepermits a more effective heat transfer by allowing a closer temperatureapproach between the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas being cooled and themultiple cooling streams that are being heated.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first or main heatexchanger is divided into at least a first section and a second section.For example, in the first section, indirect heat exchange is performedbetween the hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream and the secondcool heat exchange medium, and between the hot hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas stream and the third cool heat exchange medium. However,indirect heat exchange between the hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gasstream and the first cool heat exchange medium is performed, forexample, in both the first section and the second section. Additionally,heat exchange between the hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream andthe fourth cool heat exchange medium can also be performed in the secondsection. See, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 4.

According to a further alternative, all or a portion of thehydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream is removed from the first sectionof the first heat exchanger, subjected to heat exchange in second heatexchanger (e.g., an external air-cooled exchanger), and introduced intoa gas/liquid separator. The uncondensed portion of the hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas stream is then removed from the gas/liquid separator andintroduced into the second section of the first heat exchanger.

As noted above, the process may further comprise performing indirectheat exchange between the hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream anda fifth cool heat exchange medium. This further heat exchange need not,however, be performed in the same heat exchanger. Thus, the indirectheat exchange between the hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream andthe fifth cool heat exchange medium can be performed in a second heatexchanger. Alternatively, the indirect heat exchange between the hothydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream and the fourth cool heat exchangemedium can be performed in the second section of the first heatexchanger.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, thehydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream is removed from the first heatexchanger, subjected to heat exchange in an external air-cooledexchanger, introduced into a first gas/liquid separator, and theuncondensed portion of the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream isremoved from the first gas/liquid separator and introduced into a secondheat exchanger and then delivered to a second gas/liquid separator, fromwhich cooled product hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas is removed

Although it can be applied to the cooling of other process gases, asmentioned above, the invention is preferably directed to the cooling ofhydrogen-synthesis gas. Sources of hydrogen-synthesis gas include suchprocesses as steam/hydrocarbon reforming, coal gasification and partialoxidation processes. Typically, a hydrogen-bearing synthesis gascontains, for example, 35-75 mol % H₂, 0-2 mol % N₂, 2-45 mol % CO,12-40 mol % CO₂, 0-10 mol % H₂S, and less than 3 mol % C₂₊ hydrocarbons.Examples of the compositions of synthesis gas from various sources arelisted in the following table: Typical Composition of Synthesis Gas fromVarious Sources Component, Mol Gasification of Coal and PercentSteam-Methane Reforming Heavy Hydrocarbons Hydrogen 54-75 35-45 Nitrogen0-2 0-1 Argon   0-0.1   0-0.6 Carbon Monoxide 2-4 15-45 Carbon Dioxide12-16 15-40 (e.g., 15-32) Water Saturated Saturated Methane 4-7  0-11Hydrogen Sulfide Nil  0-10 (e.g., 0-5)

In general, the above-mentioned synthesis gas production processesprovide a hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas at a temperature of, forexample, 250 to 450° C. For purposes of hydrogen recovery or furtherprocessing into feedstock for chemical production, it is desirable tocool this stream of hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas by theprocess/apparatus of the invention to a temperature of, for example, 30to 50° C.

The heat exchange mediums typically used in the invention include thefeed stream used in the process that generates the hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas (e.g., a hydrocarbon stream), boiler feed water,demineralized water, ambient air and cooling water. Other possible heatexchange mediums include solvents, such as when removal of the carbondioxide is required, and other possible streams as necessary to enhancethe overall efficiency of the process.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications,cited above and below, are hereby incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other features and attendant advantages of the present inventionwill be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understoodwhen considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughoutthe several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a process of practicingan embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are schematic flow diagrams illustrating variations ofthe embodiment of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a prior art process ofheat exchanger configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas stream 1 enters heat exchanger E-1 where it is subject toindirect heat exchange with stream 20 (e.g., natural gas). Thehydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream 1 exits heat exchanger E-1 asstream 2 which then undergoes indirect heat exchange in heat exchangerE-2 with stream 30 (e.g., boiler feed water). Thereafter,hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream 2 exits heat exchanger E-2 asstream 3 and is introduced into heat exchanger E-3 where it is subjectedto indirect heat exchange against stream 40 (e.g., demineralized liquidwater). Upon discharge from heat exchanger E-3, the cooledhydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream 4 is delivered to a gas/liquidseparator V-1 from which condensed gases are discharged as liquid stream9 and cooled hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas is discharged as stream 5.Stream 5 then enters AC-1 (e.g., air-cooled heat exchanger) where thestream undergoes indirect heat exchange with ambient air. Finally, theair cooled stream (stream 6) from AC-1 undergoes indirect heat exchangein E-4 against stream 50 (e.g., liquid cooling water) before beingintroduced into a second gas/liquid separator V-2. Cooled,hydrogen-bearing, synthesis gas is discharged from the system as stream8.

Table 1 indicates the molar flows, temperatures, and pressures oftypical streams associated with the prior art system shown schematicallyin flow diagram of FIG. 1, as well as electrical power consumption ofthe air-cooled heat exchanger.

The following examples are provided to illustrate the invention and notto limit the concepts embodied therein. In the foregoing and in thefollowing examples, all temperatures are set forth uncorrected, indegrees Celsius, unless otherwise indicated; and, unless otherwiseindicated, all parts and percentages are by mol.

EXAMPLE 1 Partitioned Vessel Combined with External Air Cooling andSeparation

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a first hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas streamenters heat exchanger E-10 as stream 1 at 753° F. (401° C.), 376 psia,and exits heat exchanger E-10 as stream 8 at 98° F. (37° C.), 369 psia.The flow rate of stream 1 into the heat exchanger E-10 is 23,170 lbmol/hr, and the flow rate of stream 8 out of heat exchanger E-10 isabout 17,057 lb mol/hr. Heat exchanger E-10 is, for example, amulti-circuited finned-tube type heat exchanger integrally housed in avapor-liquid separator and the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas flowsthrough shell side. The arrangement may be horizontal as indicated inthe figure, vertical or at an angle as best serves the removal of anyfluid condensed in the shell side of the heat exchanger.

During its passage through heat exchanger, the hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas undergoes heat exchange with a second stream 20 such as ahydrocarbon stream (e.g. natural gas) which is to be used as a feedstream for the plant (e.g., a stream reformer) which generates the hotsynthesis gas. Stream 20 enters heat exchanger E-10 at 120° F. (49° C.),512 psia, flows through a circuit defined by finned heat exchange tubes,and exits heat exchanger E-10 as stream 21 at 716° F. (380° C), 502psia. In addition, stream 1, the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas, is alsosubjected to heat exchange with a third stream 30 (e.g., boiler feedwater) which enters heat exchanger E-10 at 227° F. (108° C.), 754 psia,flows through a circuit defined by finned heat exchange tubes, and exitsas stream 31 at 443° F. (228° C.), 724 psia. Stream 1 also undergoesheat exchange with a fourth stream 40 (e.g., demineralized liquid water)which enters heat exchanger E-10 at 74° F. (23° C.), 61 psia, flowsthrough a circuit defined by finned heat exchange tubes, and exits asstream 41 at 284° F. (140° C.), 57 psia. Finally, as shown in FIG. 2,the first stream also exchanges heat with a fifth stream 50 (e.g.,liquid cooling water) which enters heat exchanger E-10 at 92° F. (33°C.), 55 psia, flows through a circuit defined by finned heat exchangetubes, and exits as stream 51 at 107° F. (42° C.), 52 psia.

Stream 1 exchanges heat simultaneously with streams 40 and 20, thenstreams 40 and 30, and finally streams 40 and 50. The advantage of thisarrangement is to accomplish more effective heat transfer than would bepossible with multiple tube side fluid streams arranged in serieswithout interlacing of their circuitry.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the heat exchanger canbe partitioned. Thus, stream 1 undergoes heat exchange with streams 20,30 and 40, in a first section of the heat exchanger. From the firstsection, the synthesis gas can then be delivered as stream 5 to anair-cooled exchanger AC-1 for heat exchange with ambient air.Thereafter, stream 5 can be removed from AC-1 as stream 5A andintroduced into a gas/liquid separator V-1. A resultant gas stream 6 canthen be removed from V-1 is introduced back into a second section ofheat exchanger E-10 where it can undergo heat exchange with stream 50and stream 40. Resultant cooled hydrogen-containing synthesis gas canthen be removed from E-10 as stream 8.

Condensate formed in the first section, the second section, andseparator V-1 can be removed as streams 9, 10, and 10 a, respectively,combined, and then discharged from the system.

Table 2 lists exemplary compositions, molar flow rates, temperatures,pressures, enthalpies, and entropies for the streams of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2. Table 2 also lists the air cooler duty (inBTU/hr) and electrical power consumption (in terms of air cooler fanpower) for the air-cooled heat exchanger AC-1.

Under the invention integrated heat exchange design, the total UA (UA isthe product of the heat transfer coefficient and the required heattransfer area) required is estimated to be 3,506,060 BTU/F-hr. In theprior art system illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the second, third,fourth, and fifth streams are arranged in series without integrated heatexchange, the total UA required to accomplish the same amount of coolingfor the discharged hydrogen-bearing synthesis stream (i.e., cooled from753° F. (401° C.), 376 psia, to 98° F. (37° C.), 369 psia) is estimatedto be 4,630,014 BTU/F-hr.

For similar streams operating at similar conditions of temperature,pressure and chemical composition, one can assume the heat transfercoefficient is essentially the constant. Therefore, integrated heatexchanger design of the invention can achieve the same desiredhydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream exit temperature with 24.3% lessheat transfer area.

EXAMPLE 2 Non-Partitioned Vessel Combined with External Air Cooling andSeparation, and External Secondary Cooling and Separation

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a first hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas streamenters heat exchanger E-20 as stream 1 at 753° F. (401° C.), 383 psia,and exits heat exchanger E-20 as stream 5 at 208° F. (98° C.), 382 psia.The flow rate of stream 1 into the heat exchanger E-20 is 23,170 lbmol/hr, and the flow rate of stream 5 out of heat exchanger E-20 isabout 17,643 lb mol/hr. Heat exchanger E-10 is, for example, amulti-circuited finned-tube type heat exchanger integrally housed in avapor-liquid separator and the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas flowsthrough shell side. The arrangement may be horizontal as indicated inthe figure, vertical or at an angle as best serves the removal of anyfluid condensed in the shell side of the heat exchanger.

Within heat exchanger E-20, stream 1 is subjected to indirect heatexchange with a second stream 20 (e.g., natural gas) which is introducedinto heat exchanger E-20 at 120° F. (49° C.), 512 psia, flows through acircuit defined by finned heat exchange tubes, and is discharged fromheat exchanger E-20 as stream 21 at 716° F. (380° C.), 502 psia. Duringits passage through heat exchanger E-20, the first stream also undergoesheat exchange with a third stream 30 (e.g., boiler feed water) whichenters heat exchanger E-20 at 227° F. (108° C.), 754 psia, flows througha circuit defined by finned heat exchange tubes, and exits as stream 31at 443° F. (228° C.), 724 psia. In heat exchanger E-20, the first streamalso exchanges heat with a fourth stream 40 (e.g., demineralized liquidwater) which is introduced into heat exchanger at 74° F. (23° C.), 61psia, flows through a circuit defined by finned heat exchange tubes, andexiting as stream 41 at 284° F. (140° C.), 57 psia.

As noted above, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the heatexchanger is shown to be partitioned. However, in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3, the heat exchanger is not partitioned, but thesynthesis gas can still be subjected to external cooling in anair-cooled exchanger. As shown in FIG. 3, after undergoing heat exchangewith streams 20, 30 and 40, and prior to undergoing heat exchange with astream 50 (e.g., liquid cooling water), stream 1 can be removed fromheat exchanger E-20 as stream 5 and subjected to cooling by indirectheat exchange with ambient air in air-cooled exchanger. Thereafter,stream 5 can be removed from AC-1 as stream 5A and introduced into agas/liquid separator V-1.

Resultant gas stream 6 removed from V-1 need not be reintroduced intoheat exchanger E-20. Instead, stream 6 may be introduced into a secondheat exchanger E-4 where it can undergo heat exchange with stream 50(e.g. cooling water). Cooled hydrogen-containing synthesis gas can thenbe removed from E-4 as stream 7 and delivered to a second gas/liquidseparator V-2. The liquid condensate is separated from the stream andthe resultant cooled hydrogen-containing synthesis gas can be dischargedfrom V-2 as stream 8.

Table 3 lists exemplary compositions, molar flow rates, temperatures,pressures, enthalpies, and entropies for the streams of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3. Table 3 also lists the air cooler duty (inBTU/hr) and electrical power consumption (in terms of air cooler fanpower) for the air-cooled heat exchanger AC-1.

Under the invention integrated heat exchange design, the total UArequired is estimated to be 2,667,704 BTU/F-hr. In the prior art systemillustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the second, and third, streams arearranged in series without integrated heat exchange, the total UArequired to accomplish the same amount of cooling for the dischargedhydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream (i.e., cooled from 753° F. (401°C.), 383 psia, to 208° F. (98° C.), 382 psia) is estimated to be3,859,477 BTU/F-hr, which is 45% higher than the above integrateddesign.

EXAMPLE 3 Partitioned Vessel with Only External Air Cooling andSeparation

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment with a partitioned heat exchanger,similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, except that the hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas stream is not subjected to heat exchange with a fourthstream (compare stream 50 in FIG. 2) in the second part of the heatexchanger.

As shown in FIG. 4, a first hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream entersheat exchanger E-30 as stream 1 at 753° F. (401° C.), 373 psia, andexits heat exchanger E-30 as stream 8 at 98° F. (37° C.), 366 psia. Theflow rate of stream 1 into the heat exchanger E-30 is 23,170 lb mol/hr,and the flow rate of stream 8 out of heat exchanger E-30 is about 17,058lb mol/hr. Heat exchanger E-10 is, for example, a multi-circuitedfinned-tube type heat exchanger integrally housed in a vapor-liquidseparator and the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas flows through shellside. The arrangement may be horizontal as indicated in the figure,vertical or at an angle as best serves the removal of any fluidcondensed in the shell side of the heat exchanger.

In a first section of heat exchanger E-30, stream 1 initially issubjected to indirect heat exchange with a second stream 20 (e.g.,natural gas) which enters heat exchanger E-30 at 120° F. (49° C.), 512psia, flows through a circuit defined by finned heat exchange tubes, andexits heat exchanger E-30 as stream 21 at 716° F. (380° C.), 502 psia.In addition, first stream 1 also undergoes heat exchange in heatexchanger E-30 with a third stream 30 (e.g., boiler feed water) which isintroduced into heat exchanger E-30 at 227° F. (108° C.), 754 psia,flows through a circuit defined by finned heat exchange tubes, anddischarged from heat exchanger E-30 as stream 31 at 443° F. (228° C.),724 psia. Further, the first stream also exchanges heat with a fourthstream 40 (e.g., demineralized liquid water) which is delivered to heatexchanger E-30 entering at 74° F. (23° C.), 61 psia, flows through acircuit defined by finned heat exchange tubes, and exits as stream 41 at284° F. (140° C.), 56 psia.

As mentioned above, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the heatexchanger is partitioned. Thus, after undergoing heat exchange withstreams 20, 30 and 40, and prior to undergoing additional heat exchangewith stream 40, stream 1 is removed from a first section of heatexchanger E-30 as stream 5 and subjected to cooling by indirect heatexchange with ambient air in air-cooled exchanger AC-1. Thereafter,stream 5 is removed from AC-1 as stream 5A and introduced into agas/liquid separator V-1. The resultant gas stream 6 removed from V-1 isthen introduced back into a second section of heat exchanger E-30 whereit undergoes further heat exchange with stream 40. The resultant cooledhydrogen-containing synthesis gas is removed from E-30 as stream 8.

Table 4 lists exemplary compositions, molar flow rates, temperatures,pressures, enthalpies, and entropies for the streams of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 4. Table 4 also lists the air cooler duty (inBTU/hr) and electrical power consumption (in terms of air cooler fanpower) for the air-cooled heat exchanger AC-1.

Under the invention integrated heat exchange design, the total UArequired is estimated to be 5,568,498 BTU/F-hr. In the prior art systemillustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the second, third and fourth, streams arearranged in series without integrated heat exchange, the total UArequired to accomplish the same amount of cooling for the dischargedhydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream (i.e., cooled from 753° F. (401°C.), 383 psia, to 208° F. (98° C.), 382 psia) is estimated to be3,859,477 BTU/F-hr.

In this example, the need for cooling water (stream 50) is totallyeliminated thus reducing the utility consumption of the process.

EXAMPLE 4 Non-Partitioned Vessel without External Air Cooling andSeparation, and with only Cooling Water Utility

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, a non-partitioned heatexchanger is utilized. Thus, the embodiment is similar to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3. However, the embodiment of FIG. 5 does not employan external air-cooled exchanger AC-1 or a gas/liquid separator V-1, nordoes it utilize a second heat exchanger E-4 for heat exchange with astream 50 (e.g., liquid cooling water).

In FIG. 5, a first hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream enters heatexchanger E-40 as stream 1 at 753° F. (401° C.), 373 psia, and exitsheat exchanger E-40 as stream 8 at 98° F. (37° C.), 366 psia. The flowrate of stream 1 into the heat exchanger E-40 is 23,170 lb mol/hr, andthe flow rate of stream 8 out of heat exchanger E-40 is about 17056 lbmol/hr. Heat exchanger E-10 is, for example, a multi-circuitedfinned-tube type heat exchanger integrally housed in a vapor-liquidseparator and the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas flows through shellside. The arrangement may be horizontal as indicated in the figure,vertical or at an angle as best serves the removal of any fluidcondensed in the shell side of the heat exchanger.

In heat exchanger E-40, the first stream 1 undergoes heat exchange witha second stream 20 (e.g., natural gas) which is introduced into heatexchanger E-40 at 120° F. (49° C.), 512 psia, flows through a circuitdefined by finned heat exchange tubes, and discharged from heatexchanger E-40 as stream 21 at 716° F. (380° C.), 502 psia. The firststream is also subjected to heat exchange with a third stream 30 (e.g.,boiler feed water) which enters heat exchanger E-40 at 227° F. (108°C.), 754 psia, flows through a circuit defined by finned heat exchangetubes, and exits heat exchanger E-40 as stream 31 at 443° F. (228° C.),724 psia. In addition, the first stream also exchanges heat with afourth stream 40 (e.g., demineralized liquid water) which is introducedinto heat exchanger E-40 at 107° F. (42° C.), 61 psia, flows through acircuit defined by finned heat exchange tubes, and discharged from heatexchanger E-40 as stream 41 at 284° F. (140° C.), 57 psia. Finally, thefirst stream also exchanges heat with a fifth stream 50 (e.g., liquidcooling water) which is delivered to heat exchanger E-40 at 92° F. (33°C.), 55 psia, flows through a circuit defined by finned heat exchangetubes, and removed from heat exchanger E-40 as stream 51 at 107° F. (42°C.), 52 psia.

The resultant gas stream 8 removed from E-40 is not introduced into anexternal air-cooled exchanger AC-1 or a second heat exchanger E-4, butis instead discharged from heat exchanger E-40 as cooledhydrogen-containing synthesis gas stream 8.

Table 5 indicates the compositions, molar flow rates, temperatures,pressures, enthalpies, and entropies of streams of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5.

Under the invention integrated heat exchange design, the total UArequired is estimated to be 3,506,060 BTU/F-hr. In the prior art systemillustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the second, third, and fourth streams arearranged in series without integrated heat exchange, the total UArequired to accomplish the same amount of cooling for the dischargedhydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream (i.e., cooled from 753° F. (401°C.), 373 psia, to 98° F. (37° C.), 366 psia) is estimated to be3,859,477 BTU/F-hr. This arrangement of the invention integrated heatexchanger design using the integrated heat transfer zones can achievethe same desired hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream exit temperaturewith 9.2% less heat transfer area.

In addition, in this example, the total installed cost of the air-cooledexchanger is eliminated from the facility.

The following table lists typical ranges for the temperatures of thestreams subjected to heat exchange in the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 2-5. Typical Ranges of Temperatures of Hot and Cool Heat ExchangeStreams Relative Maximum, Minimum, Maximum, Minimum, Stream Temperature° F. ° F. ° C. ° C. Hot Synthesis Gas Hot 780 550 416  286 HydrocarbonCold 120 50 49 10 Feed Boiler Feed Water Cold Bubble Point 50 BubblePoint 10 at Pressure at Pressure Demineralized Cold 140 50 60 10 WaterCooling Water Cold 120 50 49 10 Ambient Air Cold 125 −40 52 −40

While the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is manifested that many changes may be made in thedetails of construction and the arrangement of components withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understoodthat the invention is not limited to embodiments set forth herein forpurposes of exemplification, but is limited only by the scope of theattached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency towhich each element thereof is entitled.

The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success bysubstituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/oroperating conditions of this invention for those used in the precedingexamples.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easilyascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changesand modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages andconditions. TABLE 1 Material Balance with Energy Consumption for thePrior Art Embodiment of FIG. 1 Stream Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Component Flow Hydrogen, lbmol/hr 12571.0 12571.0 12571.0 12571.012570.3 12570.3 12570.3 12570.3 0.7 0.0 Nitrogen, lbmol/hr 46.3 46.346.3 46.3 46.3 46.3 46.3 46.3 0.0 0.0 Carbon Monoxide, 556.1 556.1 556.1556.1 556.1 556.1 556.1 556.1 0.0 0.0 lbmol/hr Carbon Dioxide, 2783.02783.0 2783.0 2783.0 2778.5 2778.5 2778.5 2777.2 4.5 1.3 lbmol/hr Water,lbmol/hr 6147.6 6147.6 6147.6 6147.6 767.8 768.8 767.8 41.6 5379.9 726.1Methane, lbmol/hr 1065.9 1065.9 1065.9 1065.9 1065.9 1065.9 1065.91065.9 0.0 0.0 Ethane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Propane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 i-Butane,lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 n-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total, lbmol/hr 23170.0 23170.023170.0 23170.0 17784.9 17784.9 17784.9 17057.4 5385.1 727.5Temperature, F. 753 598 304 218 218 120 98 98 218 98 Pressure, psia 412402 392 382 382 376 366 366 382 366 Enthalpy, BTU/lbmol −45139 −46435.0−50476 −53492 −33331 −34779 −34989 −31261 −12075 −122380 Entropy,BTU/lbmol-° F. 23170 23170 23170 23170 17785 17785 17785 17057 5385 728Air Cooler Duty, 25,751,807 BTU/hr Air Cooler Fan Power, 42.5 kW AmbientTemperature, 90 ° F. Stream Number 11 20 21 30 31 40 41 50 51 ComponentFlow Hydrogen, lbmol/hr 0.7 132.0 132.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Nitrogen, lbmol/hr 0.0 39.7 39.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 CarbonMonoxide, 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 lbmol/hr Carbon Dioxide,5.8 74.9 74.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 lbmol/hr Water, lbmol/hr 6161.00.0 0.0 21500.0 21500.0 17660 17660 7827 7827 Methane, lbmol/hr 0.04131.3 4131.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Ethane, lbmol/hr 0.0 55.3 55.3 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Propane, lbmol/hr 0.0 17.4 17.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 i-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 1.8 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 n-Butane,lbmol/hr 0.0 2.2 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total, lbmol/hr 6112.64454.6 4454.6 21500.0 21500.0 17660.0 17660.0 7827 7827 Temperature, F.204 120 716 227 443 74 284 81 107 Pressure, psia 366 512 502 754 724 6157 55 45 Enthalpy, BTU/lbmol −120349 −33291 −26559 −119865 −115511−122756 −118799 −122621 −622145 Entropy, BTU/lbmol-° F. 37.2 32.1 30.531.3 28.0 17660 17660 7827 7827 Air Cooler Duty, BTU/hr Air Cooler FanPower, kW Ambient Temperature, ° F.

TABLE 2 Material Balance with Energy Consumption for Partitioned VesselCase Stream Number 1 5 5A 6 8 9 10 10A 11 Component Flow Hydrogen,lbmol/hr 12571.0 12570.3 12570.3 12570.3 12570.3 0.7 0.1 0.2 1.0Nitrogen, lbmol/hr 46.3 46.3 46.3 46.3 46.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 CarbonMonoxide, lbmol/hr 556.1 556.1 556.1 556.1 556.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 CarbonDioxide, lbmol/hr 2783.0 2781.3 2781.3 2781.3 2777.5 1.7 3.0 0.8 5.5Water, lbmol/hr 6147.6 3080.9 3080.9 1890.8 41.3 3066.8 1849.5 1190.06106.3 Methane, lbmol/hr 1065.9 1065.9 1065.9 1065.9 1065.9 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 Ethane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Propane,lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 i-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 n-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 Total, lbmol/hr 23170.0 20100.8 20100.8 18909.7 17057.13069.2 1852.6 1191.0 6112.9 Temperature, F. 753 290 263 263 98 290 112263 232 Pressure, psia 376 376 370 370 369 376 369 370 369 Enthalpy,BTU/lbmol −45136 −40789 −41993 −41993 −31263 −118664 −122111 −119207−119814 Entropy, BTU/lbmol-° F. 37.2 32.1 30.5 31.3 28.0 19.1 14.0 18.416.8 Air Cooler Duty, BTU/hr 24,488,016 Air Cooler Fan Power, kW 17.0Ambient Temperature, ° F. 90 Stream Number 20 21 30 31 40 41 50 51Component Flow Hydrogen, lbmol/hr 132.0 132.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Nitrogen, lbmol/hr 39.7 39.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Carbon Monoxide,lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Carbon Dioxide, lbmol/hr 74.974.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Water, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 21500.0 21500.017660.0 17660.0 7827.0 7827.0 Methane, lbmol/hr 4131.3 4131.3 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Ethane, lbmol/hr 55.3 55.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Propane, lbmol/hr 17.4 17.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 i-Butane, lbmol/hr1.8 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 n-Butane, lbmol/hr 2.2 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 Total, lbmol/hr 4454.6 4454.6 21500.0 21500.0 17660.017660.0 7827.0 7827.0 Temperature, F. 120 716 227 443 74 284 92 107Pressure, psia 512 502 754 724 61 57 55 52 Enthalpy, BTU/lbmol −33291−26559 −119865 115511 −122756 −118799 −122422 −122144 Entropy,BTU/lbmol-° F. 37.4 45.2 17.4 22.9 12.7 19.0 13.3 13.8 Air Cooler Duty,BTU/hr Air Cooler Fan Power, kW Ambient Temperature, ° F.

TABLE 3 Material Balance with Energy Consumption for AlternateEmbodiment Employing External Cooling and Separation Stream Number 1 55A 6 7 8 9 9A 10 Component Flow Hydrogen, lbmol/hr 12571.0 12569.912569.9 12569.9 12569.9 12569.9 1.0 0.0 0.0 Nitrogen, lbmol/hr 46.3 46.346.3 46.3 46.3 46.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 Carbon Monoxide, lbmol/hr 556.1 556.1556.1 556.1 556.1 556.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 Carbon Dioxide, lbmol/hr 2783.02779.1 2779.1 2778.2 2778.2 2778.2 3.9 0.8 0.1 Water, lbmol/hr 6147.6625.1 625.1 76.9 76.9 41.6 5522.5 548.2 35.3 Methane, lbmol/hr 1065.91065.9 1065.9 1065.9 1065.9 1065.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 Ethane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Propane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 i-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0n-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total, lbmol/hr23170.0 17642.5 17642.5 17093.4 17093.4 17058.1 5527.5 549.0 35.4Temperature, F. 753 208 120 120 98 98 255 120 98 Pressure, psia 383 382376 376 366 366 382 376 366 Enthalpy, BTU/lbmol −45136 −32850 −34079−31257 −31458 −31270 −119363 −121954 −122380 Entropy, BTU/lbmol-° F.37.1 29.8 27.9 28.3 28.0 28.0 18.2 14.3 13.6 Air Cooler Duty, BTU/hr21,975,131.0 Air Cooler Fan Power, kW 39.0 Ambient Temperature, ° F. 90Stream Number 11 20 21 30 31 40 41 50 51 Component Flow Hydrogen,lbmol/hr 1.1 132.0 132.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Nitrogen, lbmol/hr 0.039.7 39.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Carbon Monoxide, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Carbon Dioxide, lbmol/hr 4.8 74.9 74.9 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Water, lbmol/hr 6106.0 0.0 0.0 21500.0 21500.0 17660.017660.0 12394.3 12394.3 Methane, lbmol/hr 0.0 4131.3 4131.3 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 Ethane, lbmol/hr 0.0 55.3 55.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Propane, lbmol/hr 0.0 17.4 17.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 i-Butane,lbmol/hr 0.0 1.8 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 n-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 2.22.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total, lbmol/hr 6111.9 4454.6 4454.6 21500.021500.0 17660.0 17660.0 12394.3 12394.3 Temperature, F. 204 120 716 227443 74 284 92 107 Pressure, psia 366 512 502 754 724 61 57 55 45Enthalpy, BTU/lbmol −120331 −33291 −26559 −119865 −115511 −122756−118799 −122422 −122144 Entropy, BTU/lbmol-° F. 16.8 37.4 45.2 17.4 22.912.7 19.0 13.3 13.8 Air Cooler Duty, BTU/hr Air Cooler Fan Power, kWAmbient Temperature, ° F.

TABLE 4 Material Balance with Energy Consumption for AlternateEmbodiment Employing Only External Cooling Utility Stream Number 1 5 5A6 8 9 10 Component Flow Hydrogen, lbmol/hr 12571.0 12570.5 12570.5 0.312570.0 0.2 0.0 Nitrogen, lbmol/hr 46.3 46.3 46.3 0.0 46.3 0.0 0.0Carbon Monoxide, 556.1 556.1 556.1 0.0 556.1 0.0 0.0 lbmol/hr CarbonDioxide, 2783.0 2782.0 2782.0 0.8 2778.2 2.6 0.5 lbmol/hr Water,lbmol/hr 6147.6 4211.0 4211.0 1342.2 41.6 2555.6 271.6 Methane, lbmol/hr1065.9 1065.9 1065.9 0.0 1065.9 0.0 0.0 Ethane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 Propane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 i-Butane,lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 n-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 Total, lbmol/hr 23170.0 21231.9 21231.9 1343.3 17058.12558.4 272.2 Temperature, F. 753 307 285 285 98 174 98 Pressure, psia373 373 367 367 366 366 366 Enthalpy, BTU/lbmol −45135 −43935 −45148−118773 −31270 −120911 −122380 Entropy, BTU/lbmol-° F. 37.2 32.8 31.219.0 28.0 15.9 13.6 Air Cooler Duty, BTU/hr 25,737,519 Air Cooler FanPower, 45.0 kW Ambient Temperature, 90 ° F. Stream Number 10A 11 11 2021 30 31 40 Component Flow Hydrogen, lbmol/hr 0.3 1.0 20 21 30 31 40 41Nitrogen, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 Carbon Monoxide, 0.0 0.0 132.0 132.0 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 lbmol/hr Carbon Dioxide, 0.8 4.8 39.7 39.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0lbmol/hr Water, lbmol/hr 1342.2 6106.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Methane,lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 74.9 74.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Ethane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 21500.0 21500.0 17660.0 17660.0 Propane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 4131.34131.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 i-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 55.3 55.3 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 n-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 17.4 17.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total, lbmol/hr1343.3 6111.9 1.8 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.2 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Temperature, F. 285 204 4454.6 4454.6 21500.0 21500.0 17660.0 17660.0Pressure, psia 367 366 Enthalpy, BTU/lbmol −122380 −122333 120 716 227443 74 284 Entropy, BTU/lbmol-° F. 13.6 16.8 512 502 754 724 61 56 AirCooler Duty, BTU/hr Air Cooler Fan Power, kW Ambient Temperature, ° F.

TABLE 5 Material Balance with Energy Consumption for AlternateEmbodiment Employing Only Cooling Water Utility Stream Number 1 8 9 1011 20 21 Component Flow Hydrogen, lbmol/hr 12571.0 12570.2 0.7 0.8 0.8132 132 Nitrogen, lbmol/hr 46.3 46.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 39.7 39.7 CarbonMonoxide, 556.1 556.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 lbmol/hr Carbon Dioxide,lbmol/hr 2783.0 2775.7 1.7 7.3 7.3 74.9 74.9 Water, lbmol/hr 6147.6 41.63061.7 6106.0 6106.0 0.0 0.0 Methane, lbmol/hr 1065.9 1065.9 0.0 0.0 0.04131.3 4131.3 Ethane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 55.3 55.3 Propane,lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 17.4 17.4 i-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 0.0 1.8 1.8 n-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.2 2.2 Total,lbmol/hr 23170.0 17055.9 3064.1 6114.1 6114.1 4454.6 4454.6 Temperature,F. 753 98 290 204 204 120 716 Pressure, psia 373 366 367 366 366 512 502Enthalpy, BTU/lbmol −45135 −31249 −118672 −120355 −120355 −33291 −26559Entropy, BTU/lbmol-° F. 37.2 28.0 19.1 16.8 16.8 37.4 45.2 Air CoolerDuty, BTU/hr 0 Air Cooler Fan Power, 0 kW Ambient Temperature, 90 ° F.Stream Number 30 31 40 41 50 51 Component Flow Hydrogen, lbmol/hr 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Nitrogen, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 CarbonMonoxide, 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 lbmol/hr Carbon Dioxide, lbmol/hr 0.80.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Water, lbmol/hr 21500.0 21500.0 17660.0 17660.0148689.6 148689.6 Methane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Ethane,lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Propane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 i-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 n-Butane, lbmol/hr 0.00.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Total, lbmol/hr 21500.0 21500.0 17660.0 17660.0148689.6 148689.6 Temperature, F. 227 443 107 284 92 107 Pressure, psia754 724 61 57 55 52 Enthalpy, BTU/lbmol −119865 −115511 −122144 −118799−122422 −122144 Entropy, BTU/lbmol-° F. 17.4 22.9 13.8 19.0 13.3 13.8Air Cooler Duty, BTU/hr Air Cooler Fan Power, kW Ambient Temperature, °F.

1. A process for recovering energy from a hydrogen-bearing synthesis gasstream comprising: a. providing a first heat exchanger having at leastfour separate flow circuits; b. supplying a first hot hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas stream to a first flow circuit of said first heatexchanger; c. supplying a first cool heat exchange medium to a secondflow circuit of said first heat exchanger whereby said hothydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream is cooled by indirect heatexchange with said first cool heat exchange medium; d. feeding a secondcool heat exchange medium to a third flow circuit of said first heatexchanger whereby said hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream iscooled by indirect heat exchange with said second cool heat exchangemedium; e. feeding a third cool heat exchange medium to a fourth flowcircuit of said first heat exchanger whereby said hot hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas stream is cooled by indirect heat exchange with said thirdcool heat exchange medium; and f. removing cooled hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas stream from said heat exchanger.
 2. A process according toclaim 1, wherein said first hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream isobtained from a steam/hydrocarbon reforming process, a coal gasificationprocess or a partial oxidation process.
 3. A process according to claim2, wherein said first cool heat exchange medium is a hydrocarbon feedstream for said steam/hydrocarbon reforming process or a partialoxidation process.
 4. A process according to claim 1, wherein said firstcool heat exchange medium is a hydrocarbon feed stream, said second coolheat exchange medium is a boiler water stream, and said third cool heatexchange medium is a demineralized water stream.
 5. A process accordingto claim 1, further comprising feeding a fourth cool heat exchangemedium to a fifth flow circuit of said first heat exchanger whereby saidhot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream is cooled by indirect heatexchange with said fourth cool heat exchange medium.
 6. A processaccording to claim 1, further comprising: removing at least a portion ofthe hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis from the heat exchanger, subjectingthe hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis removed from the heat exchanger toheat exchange a second heat exchanger, and returning at least a portionof the resultant cooled hydrogen-bearing synthesis to the first heatexchanger for further cooling by indirect heat exchange.
 7. A processaccording to claim 1, wherein said heat exchanger is a spiral-wound tubeheat exchanger.
 8. A process according to claim 1, wherein said heatexchanger is a plate-fin heat exchanger.
 9. A process according to claim1, wherein said heat exchanger is a shell-tube heat exchanger.
 10. Aprocess according to claim 1, wherein said hot hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas can undergoes indirect heat exchange with more than oneheat exchange medium at the same time.
 11. A process according to claim1, wherein said heat exchanger is divided into at least a first sectionand a second section.
 12. A process according to claim 11, in said firstsection, indirect heat exchange is performed between the hothydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream and the second cool heat exchangemedium, and between the hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream andthe third cool heat exchange medium.
 13. A process according to claim11, wherein indirect heat exchange between the hot hydrogen-bearingsynthesis gas stream and the first cool heat exchange medium isperformed in both the first section and the second section.
 14. Aprocess according to claim 12, wherein indirect heat exchange betweenthe hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream and the first cool heatexchange medium is performed in both the first section and the secondsection.
 15. A process according to claim 13, wherein heat exchangebetween the hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream and the fourthcool heat exchange medium is performed in the second section.
 16. Aprocess according to claim 14, wherein heat exchange between the hothydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream and the fourth cool heat exchangemedium is performed in the second section.
 17. A process according toclaim 11, further comprising: removing all or a portion of thehydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream from the first section of the heatexchanger, subjected the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas removed from thefirst section to heat exchange in second heat exchanger, removing thehydrogen-bearing synthesis gas from said second heat exchanger andintroducing it into a gas/liquid separator, and removing uncondensedhydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream from the gas/liquid separator andintroducing it into the second section of the heat exchanger.
 17. Aprocess according to claim 11, further comprising: removing all or aportion of the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream from the firstsection of the heat exchanger, subjected the hydrogen-bearing synthesisgas removed from the first section to heat exchange in second heatexchanger, removing the hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas from said secondheat exchanger and introducing it into a gas/liquid separator, andremoving uncondensed hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas stream from thegas/liquid separator and introducing it into a third heat exchanger,removing hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas from said third heat exchangerand introducing it into a second gas/liquid separator, from which cooledproduct hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas is removed
 18. A processaccording to claim 1, wherein said hydrogen-bearing synthesis gascontains 35-75 mol % H₂, 0-2 mol % N₂, 2-45 mol % CO, 12-40 mol % CO₂,0-10 mol % H₂S, and less than 3 mol % C₂₊ hydrocarbons.
 19. A processaccording to claim 1, wherein said hydrogen-bearing synthesis gascontains up to 11 mol % methane.
 20. A process according to claim 1,wherein said hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas contains up to 10 mol %hydrogen sulfide.
 21. A process according to claim 1, wherein saidhydrogen-bearing synthesis gas is cooled from a temperature of 250 to450° C. to a temperature of 30 to 50° C.
 22. A process according toclaim 4, wherein said first cool heat exchange medium is hydrocarbonfeed stream is heated from a temperature of 10 to 49° C., said boilerwater stream is introduced at a temperature of 10° C., and saiddemineralized water stream is heated from a temperature of 10 to 60° C.23. A heat exchanger apparatus comprising: a. means for defining atleast four separate flow circuits within said heat exchanger whereby thefirst flow circuit is in indirect heat exchange with the second flowcircuit, the third flow circuit, and the fourth flow circuit; b. a firstinlet for introducing hot hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas into the meansdefining said first circuit of said heat exchanger, and a first outletfor discharging cooled hydrogen-bearing synthesis gas from said meansdefining said first circuit of said heat exchanger; c. a source of hothydrogen-bearing synthesis gas in fluid communication with said firstinlet; d. a second inlet for introducing a cool first heat exchangemedium into means defining said second circuit of said heat exchanger,and a second outlet for discharging said first heat exchange medium fromsaid means defining said second circuit of said heat exchanger; e. asource of cool first heat exchange medium in fluid communication withsaid second inlet; f. a third inlet for introducing a cool second heatexchange medium into means defining said third circuit of said heatexchanger, and a third outlet for discharging said cool second heatexchange medium from said means defining said third circuit of said heatexchanger; and g. a source of cool second heat exchange medium in fluidcommunication with said third inlet; h. a fourth inlet for introducing acool third heat exchange medium into means defining said fourth circuitof said heat exchanger, and a fourth outlet for discharging said coolthird heat exchange medium from said means defining said fourth circuitof said heat exchanger; and i. a source of cool third heat exchangemedium in fluid communication with said fourth inlet.
 24. A heatexchanger apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising: means fordefining a fifth separate flow circuit within said heat exchangerwhereby the first flow circuit is in indirect heat exchange with thefifth flow circuit; a fifth inlet for introducing a cool fourth heatexchange medium into means defining said fifth circuit of said heatexchanger, and a fifth outlet for discharging said cool fourth heatexchange medium from said means defining said fifth circuit of said heatexchanger; and a source of cool fourth heat exchange medium in fluidcommunication with said fifth inlet.